Abstract: A method of treating a mixture of microorganisms with readily biodegradable carbon compounds (RBCs) in the form of one or more volatile fatty acids (VFAs), by first inducing the mixture microorganisms to release phosphorus and magnesium which is then tapped o as the mixture is thickened, to produce a phosphorus/magnesium-nch liquid and a phosphorus/magnesium-reduced treated mixture This treated mixture is placed in an anaerobic digester where ammonia is formed, but combines very little with phosphorus or magnesium Next the high-ammonia mixture is dewatered to produce an ammonia-rich liquid, which is combined with the phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid and reacted to form struvite In one preferred embodiment, VFAs are formed in situ via an upstream unified fermentation and thickening (UFAT) process and added to the waste sidestream to strip phosphorus and magnesium found therein In another preferred embodiment a usable struvite product is harvested.

Abstract: Formation of scale in a wastewater treatment system upstream of a struvite precipitation reactor is inhibited by injection of CO2. The injection may be performed at multiple locations. Injection may be controlled based on one or more of pH, fluid flow and fluid pressure. Injected CO2 may be stripped at the precipitation reactor to enhance struvite production. Scale may be inhibited while maintaining production of precipitated struvite.

Abstract: Formation of scale in a wastewater treatment system upstream of a struvite precipitation reactor is inhibited by injection of one or more of CO2 and H3PO4. The injection may be performed at multiple locations. Injection may be controlled based on one or more of pH, fluid flow and fluid pressure. Scale may be inhibited while maintaining production of precipitated struvite.

Abstract: A method of treating a mixture of microorganisms containing phosphorus and magnesium, by first inducing the mixture microorganisms to release phosphorus and magnesium which is then tapped off as the mixture is thickened, to produce phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid and phosphorus and magnesium-reduced treated mixture. This treated mixture is placed in an anaerobic digester where ammonia is formed but combines very little with phosphorus or magnesium as these elements have been greatly reduced in concentration. Next the high-ammonia mixture is dewatered, to produce an ammonia-rich liquid, which is combined with the phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid. In one preferred embodiment a useable struvite product is harvested from this combination. Additionally, the production of nuisance struvite in the anaerobic digester is greatly reduced, in comparison with prior art waste treatment methods.

Abstract: A method of treating a mixture of microorganisms containing phosphorus and magnesium, by first inducing the mixture microorganisms to release phosphorus and magnesium which is then tapped off as the mixture is thickened, to produce phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid and phosphorus and magnesium-reduced treated mixture. This treated mixture is placed in an anaerobic digester where ammonia is formed but combines very little with phosphorus or magnesium as these elements have been greatly reduced in concentration. Next the high-ammonia mixture is dewatered, to produce an ammonia-rich liquid, which is combined with the phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid. In one preferred embodiment a useable struvite product is harvested from this combination. Additionally, the production of nuisance struvite in the anaerobic digester is greatly reduced, in comparison with prior art waste treatment methods.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater that generates a supernatant having a concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that falls within a specified range and a sludge that has percent total solids. The method includes the steps of providing a fermentation tank and a gravity thickener, operatively connected to the fermentation tank. The wastewater is permitted to flow continually or intermittently into the fermentation tank and a portion of the wastewater overflows the fermentation tank, thereby defining an overflow rate. The fermentation tank is subjected to anaerobic conditions and the wastewater in the tank is permitted to stratify so that sludge forms at the bottom of the tank. In addition the sludge is continually pumped from the bottom of the fermentation tank so that each stratification level within the fermentation tank corresponds to a sludge residence time that in turn corresponds to a range of VFA concentrations.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater that generates a supernatant having a concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that falls within a specified range and a sludge that has percent total solids. The method includes the steps of providing a fermentation tank and a gravity thickener, operatively connected to the fermentation tank. The wastewater is permitted to flow continually or intermittently into the fermentation tank and a portion of the wastewater overflows the fermentation tank, thereby defining an overflow rate. The fermentation tank is subjected to anaerobic conditions and the wastewater in the tank is permitted to stratify so that sludge forms at the bottom of the tank. In addition the sludge is continually pumped from the bottom of the fermentation tank so that each stratification level within the fermentation tank corresponds to a sludge residence time that in turn corresponds to a range of VFA concentrations.